Hallyu! The Korean Wave, Spilt Milk, Christmas in the City and more: 75 ways to spend the weekend
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From K-pop dance workshops and Korean fried chicken to Shakespeare under the stars and Kendrick Lamar at Spilt Milk, this weekend is absolutely packed.
Whether you’re keen to explore the opening of the Hallyu! exhibition at the National Museum, catch Grinspoon’s 30th birthday bash, browse Christmas markets, or simply enjoy free merry-go-round rides in Garema Place, there’s something for everyone.
Grab your mates and make the most of these brilliant summer days. Here’s what’s on this weekend.
Don’t miss…
Hallyu! The Korean Wave opening weekend
National Museum of Australia launches Australia’s first showing of the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition exploring K-culture.
Hosted by SBS PopAsia’s Andy Trieu, the opening party on Friday 12 December features live performances by Korean Australian artist YURA, dance sets from DARE (2025 Australian K-Pop Cover Dance Festival winners), DJ sets, pink carpet entrance, Korean-inspired food and photo booths replicating Seoul experiences.
The weekend continues with Chimaek on the Deck combining exhibition entry with Korean fried chicken, beer and lakeside DJ sets. Free drop-in K-pop dance workshops feature DARE Dance Crew and Serendipity performing and teaching choreography. Curators in Conversation on Saturday pairs V&A curator Dr Rosalie Kim with National Museum curator Kate Morschel discussing Korea’s cultural journey. Family-friendly activities include photo booths and accessible K-pop experiences throughout the weekend.
Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au/hallyu
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Echo Theatre once again transports you to the enchanted forest this summer as they bring Shakespeare’s famous comedy to life in the great outdoors.
Join a cast of our region’s finest (and funniest!) actors for an evening of laughter and romance, moonlit woods, love potions run amok and more than a few misunderstandings.
Gather your friends, bring a picnic, and celebrate the beginning of summer and the power of love with A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the open sky.
Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 December | Aunty Louise Brown Park, Queanbeyan | theq.net.au
National Library of Australia Treasures Gallery
The National Library has millions of books, and the Treasures Gallery answers the frequently asked question, ‘Where are they’. They also collect other items. From maps and manuscripts to photographs and paintings, the Treasures Gallery is where you can find highlights from their vast physical and digital collections. Behind-the-scenes videos, pages from William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice from the First Folio, a cedar bookcase carved by Dorothea Mackellar, photographs from the nation’s photo album, and a display of The Wiggles’ websites from 1997 to today from the Australian Web Archive are among the new additions.
Opens Saturday 13 December | National Library of Australia, Parkes | library.gov.au
Spilt Milk Canberra
Australia’s most in-demand festival returns to Canberra with a powerhouse 2025 lineup. Headlining acts include Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Sara Landry, Dominic Fike and ScHoolboy Q, supported by d4vd, Nessa Barrett, Sofia Isella, Skin On Skin, sombr, Club Angel, The Rions and South Summit. The acclaimed festival tour stops at beloved locations across Australia, bringing together some of the most talked-about local and global artists. With multiple stages and a full day of performances, attendees can expect an immersive music experience spanning various genres from hip-hop to electronic.
Saturday, 13 December, 11 am–11 pm | Exhibition Park in Canberra, Mitchell | spilt-milk.com.au
Matildas: Game Face & Make and Move
National Portrait Gallery celebrates a new commissioned video portrait of the CommBank Matildas by artist Angela Tiatia with free summer activities inspired by the commissioned portrait of the team that captured hearts across Australia.
Kick off on the pop-up soccer field on the cafe lawns or challenge mates to foosball showdowns in the Western Courtyard.
Get ready to make and move with creative activities including fan bracelet making, soccer card design, and fun movement challenges.
Drop in anytime throughout summer to experience the excitement. The program runs daily from , offering families and football fans the chance to celebrate the CommBank Matildas whilst enjoying hands-on activities combining creativity with active play in the gallery setting.
Saturday, 13 December 2025–Sunday, 1 February 2026, 10 am–4.30 pm | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
NFSA Summer Film Series
Arc Cinema presents A Summer of Love, a bold cinematic journey through peace, love and revolution from the 1960s to 2025. The program features films exploring love in chaotic, charming and complicated forms, from documentary Whoopee Blues: The Life and Times of the Conway Brothers to holiday favourite Love Actually.
Highlights include Tennessee Williams spotlight featuring A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cyberpunk series with Blade Runner and The Matrix, European Avant-Garde program, and school holiday matinees featuring animal adventures.
December 2025 to February 2026 | NFSA Arc Cinema, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Hansel & Gretel
National Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved opera at Albert Hall. This family-friendly production follows mischievous siblings through the forest to the witch’s gingerbread house. The enchanting tale features stunning visuals, captivating performances and Humperdinck’s rich melodic score. A talented local cast brings the story to life, combining adventure, laughter and family themes. The production transports audiences into a world of magic and wonder, suitable for all ages. Multiple performances scheduled throughout the season allow families to experience this delightful opera that has charmed audiences for generations with its accessible storytelling and beautiful music.
Until Saturday, 20 December | Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | nationalopera.org.au
Christmas in the City
Celebrate Christmas in the heart of Canberra with Christmas in the City! Wander through local favourites to look for unique gifts, enjoy long meals with loved ones, and explore the festive activities filling the City Centre. From seasonal treats to family-friendly moments and everything in between, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the season and make new memories. Make sure to visit the website to see what’s happening.
Until Wednesday 24 December | Civic, Canberra | inthecity.com.au/christmasinthecity
Heaven’s Gate
The Australian premiere of Heaven’s Gate, a video installation by internationally acclaimed artist Marco Brambilla. Free to the public, the work fuses Hollywood glamour and contemporary culture.
The latest chapter in Brambilla’s Megaplex series exploring modern spectacle and excess, Heaven’s Gate takes viewers on a vivid cinematic journey through collaged film imagery featuring Beyoncé, Audrey Hepburn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Christopher Walken. The installation creates a multifaceted dreamscape blurring celebration and critique.
This immersive audiovisual experience continues through March 2026.
Until Sunday, 9 March | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
Hallyu! The Korean Wave
An exhibition exploring Korea’s cultural journey to global influence through 250 objects from the V&A in London. The exhibition spans film, fashion, drama, beauty and music–from BTS to aespa, Squid Game to Parasite, glass skin to bibimbap. Visitors can discover the powerhouse behind Korea’s dramatic cultural transformation and the vibrant world of K-culture as it continues to sweep across the globe. The exhibition examines how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity.
Until Sunday, 10 May | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
Special Events and Festivals
Dynasty Studios Open Day
Dynasty Studios invites the community to explore its new Kambah studio space. Free 30-minute classes are available for ages 2 to 15, with registration required via the website or phone. The open day features a sausage sizzle, face painting, baked goods, snacks and activities.
Dynasty Studios brings quality education and care through specialist teachers holding international dance experience, qualifications and industry credits. The studio’s culture of inclusivity, support and joy forms the foundation of every class. Families can discover the new space whilst children try classes and enjoy entertainment. Register online for free classes or visit on the day.
Saturday, 13 December, 10 am–2.30 pm | Dynasty Studios, Unit 4, 46 Jenke Circuit, Kambah | dynastystudiosact.com.au
Horrorshow x CLIPPED: Inside Story Uncut
Hip hop outfit Horrorshow mark the 15th anniversary of their seminal 2009 album Inside Story with a groundbreaking cinema concert event, Inside Story Uncut, produced by audiovisual collective CLIPPED.
Premiering in November 2024 as part of the sold-out IS15 Tour, Inside Story Uncut captures the electrifying opening night performance in 4K/HD. Directed by Samuel Bright of CLIPPED, the film showcases Horrorshow backed by a live band of virtuoso jazz musicians, performing reimagined versions of fan-favourites from the album.
This immersive multi-camera concert film is more than a live show – it’s a cinematic experience that brings audiences closer than ever to the energy, emotion, and artistry of Horrorshow’s landmark performance.
This screening will include an interactive Q&A session with Horrorshow frontman Nick Solo, and director and CLIPPED founder Samuel Bright.
Sunday 14 December, 1 pm | NFSA, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
A Very Curated Community Christmas Party
Curated, a Canberra-based social connection initiative designed to reduce loneliness and help locals meet through relaxed in-person experiences, hosts its end-of-year celebration. The afternoon brings people together at Rosa’s at The Lawns for connection and community. Guests enjoy a drink on arrival, grazing platters, lawn games and live acoustic music in the outdoor setting. The event includes a Vinnies Canberra Giving Tree, inviting donations to support individuals and families in need this Christmas. Everyone is welcome to join this relaxed social gathering celebrating connection and community spirit whilst supporting a worthy cause through the festive season.
Sunday, 14 December, 2 pm | 7 King George Terrace, Parkes | eventbrite.com.au
Super Kaylene Whiskey
Super Kaylene Whiskey celebrates one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, proud Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey. This major survey brings together works from across Whiskey’s career, showcasing her dynamic practice that is grounded in stories of First Nations joy and strength. Drawn from public and private collections, the exhibition features over 80 paintings, video work and installation from her early career to now, as well as a newly commissioned portrait.
With irreverent humour, Whiskey playfully combines everyday life, Aṉangu culture and beloved pop culture icons in her work. Dolly Parton, Cher and Wonder Woman share centre stage with Whiskey and other strong kungkas (women) as together they hunt and collect bush tucker. Through her rich visual stories, Whiskey joyfully connects cultures, Country and celebrity and invites us along for the ride.
Until Monday 9 March 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
1975: Living in the Seventies
Step back 50 years and immerse yourself in the unforgettable year that was 1975! The National Library of Australia’s fascinating new exhibition explores what it was truly like to live in the seventies, from the dramatic political upheaval of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal to the cultural phenomena that defined the decade.
Discover iconic fashion like flared jeans and platform shoes, relive the magic of Countdown’s glam rockers Skyhooks and ABBA’s infectious pop, and explore groundbreaking Australian films like Picnic at Hanging Rock. This colourful celebration brings together objects exploring politics, conflicts, popular culture, food, fashion, and sport in iconic seventies design, revealing a complex story beyond Baby Boomer nostalgia.
Until Monday 9 March 2026 | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra | library.gov.au
Festive Fun
Christmas at The Little Burley Market
A special Christmas-themed edition of The Little Burley Market features over 80 stallholders, festive entertainment and a packed program of kids activities. Santa himself may make an appearance at this enchanting celebration for all ages. Shop among the beautiful backdrop of Lake Burley Griffin, purchasing perfect gifts from local creators and artisans whilst supporting small businesses. The market features artisan delights from culinary creations to handcrafted jewellery, artwork, candles and puppy couture. Located between the International Flag display on Queen Elizabeth Terrace, the market offers something for everyone seeking unique Christmas presents from Canberra’s creative community.
Saturday, 13 December, 9 am–2 pm | Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Commonwealth Place, Parkes | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Christmas with The Amosa Family at Lanyon Homestead
An open-air concert on the lawns of historic Lanyon Homestead featuring the Amosa Family. Led by Steve Amosa with his children Kirrah, Lahni, Mayah and Kofi, the performance showcases their signature harmonies and soulful music. The afternoon includes free kids’ activities, face painting, family photos and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets to enjoy the music under the summer sky, surrounded by the homestead’s scenic paddocks and gardens. Presented in partnership with The Giving Machine, supporting local families and communities through the festive season.
Saturday, 13 December, 4 pm–7 pm | Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa Drive, Tharwa | historicplaces.com.au
Ginninderry Christmas in the Park
A community celebration featuring live music, Santa photo booth, food stalls and kids activities. The family-friendly event welcomes all ages to Paddys Park for an evening of festive entertainment. Attendees can enjoy performances while children participate in various activities designed for the holiday season. Food vendors will offer diverse options throughout the evening. The event creates a relaxed atmosphere for families and community members to gather and celebrate together. Free entry makes this accessible evening entertainment for the whole family to enjoy the festive spirit in a parkland setting.
Saturday, 13 December, 5 pm–9 pm | Paddys Park, Strathnairn | visabel.com.au
The Grinch (who almost) stole Christmas
Ballet to Kokoda presents what might be Canberra’s first interactive Christmas show. Two performances at 10 am and 12 pm feature a stellar cast including David ‘Dog Box’ Cannel from Questacon, known affectionately as the Dinosaur Guy, bringing science disguised as Christmas magic. After the show, audiences can interact with cast members in character and take unlimited free photos with a variety of characters–a fantastic alternative to mall Santa visits. The production features Adam Best, Jill Young, Lachlan Elderton, Sam Welling, Rosie Welling and Charlotte Woodhouse. Tickets $25, kids under 2 free on adult laps. Proceeds after costs support MSPlus charity.
Friday, 13 December, 10 am and 12 pm | Ralph Wilson Theatre, Ainslie Arts Centre | trybooking.com/1495097
Kids’ Christmas Party Tuggeranong
Canberra Southern Cross Club presents a festive celebration for children featuring glitter tattoos, games with prizes, Christmas crafts and a visit from Santa. Each child receives a festive goody bag. The party provides structured entertainment designed for young attendees, with activities planned throughout the evening. Parents can accompany their children while they participate in the various craft stations and games. The event combines traditional Christmas elements with interactive entertainment, creating a memorable experience for families. All activities and entertainment are included as part of the celebration at the venue.
Saturday, 13 December, 5.30 pm–8 pm | Canberra Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong, Greenway | cscc.com.au
Canberra Jazz Orchestra at Gang Gang Café
Canberra’s professional big band, the The Canberra Jazz Orchestra, will usher in the festive season with a special Christmas performance this Sunday at Gang Gang Café in Downer.
Led by Music Director Andrew Kimber, The Canberra Jazz Orchestra will deliver an energising mix of big band Christmas classics, joyful seasonal favourites, and upbeat Christmas pop hits. The performance promises a warm, community-focused afternoon perfect for families, music lovers, and Christmas dancefloor hits.
Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the relaxed café atmosphere, great food, and a festive musical showcase that highlights some of Canberra’s finest talent.
Canberra’s Reclink Cup football teams; The Limestones (Canberra musicians) and The Noise (Canberra media) will have their Christmas Kick at the adjacent Downer Oval.
Sunday 14 December, 5 pm | Gang Gang Café, Downer | events.humanitix.com
Harmonie German Club Christmas Markets
German markets offering homemade cakes, deli goods, groceries, wine, beer and schnapps. The popular sausage stall serves fresh German sausages throughout the morning. Community stallholders return alongside new vendors selling handmade crafts and specialties. A free jumping castle provides entertainment for children while parents browse the various market stalls. The markets combine traditional German food products with locally made crafts and goods. Entertainment is provided for all ages. Attendees can shop for specialty items, enjoy German refreshments and experience the festive market atmosphere at the club’s outdoor space.
Sunday, 14 December, 9 am–1 pm | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | harmonieclub.com.au
Carols in Town Park
The Tuggeranong Salvation Army presents its annual community Christmas celebration, a tradition since the early 2000s. Entertainment includes children’s activities, a sausage sizzle and community carols led by the Salvation Army Brass Band, accompanied by local vocalist Amber Nicolls. The event began small and moved to Tuggeranong Town Park in 2007, growing into a significant community gathering. Attendees can participate in traditional carol singing while enjoying low-key activities and refreshments. The celebration brings together local residents for an evening of music and community connection during the festive season.
Sunday, 14 December, 5 pm–8 pm | Tuggeranong Town Park, Anketell Street, Greenway | salvationarmy.org.au
A Sunburnt Christmas
A celebration of the festive season under Southern skies featuring Luminescence Children’s Choir with pianist-composer Sally Whitwell, soprano Rachel Mink and the Ellery String Quartet. The very-nearly-all-Australian program explores summertime, family, new life and home through music that reflects the Australian Christmas experience. The concert embraces the unique character of December in Australia–cicadas, thunderstorms, gum leaves and heat–rather than traditional northern hemisphere imagery of snow and sleigh bells. The performance combines choral voices with instrumental arrangements celebrating Christmas in the context of the Australian summer season and landscape.
Sunday, 14 December, 3 pm–4 pm | Wesley Uniting Church, 20-22 National Circuit, Forrest | luminescence.org.au
Christmas in the Country at Sutton Village Markets
Sutton Village Country Markets invites families to Christmas in the Country at Sutton Oval. The morning features live entertainment, Santa visit, horse and cart rides, plus market and food stalls. The Anglicare Giving Tree provides opportunity to support the community during the festive season. Pets are welcome to join families for this country celebration. Located at the corner of Victoria and Camp Streets in Sutton, New South Wales, the markets offer a relaxed morning of festive shopping and entertainment just outside Canberra. The family event combines traditional Christmas activities with market browsing, creating a complete morning out supporting local vendors and community initiatives.
Sunday, 14 December, 9 am–1.30 pm | Sutton Oval, Corner Victoria & Camp Streets, Sutton | suttonvillagecountrymarkets.com.au
Free merry-go-round rides in Garema Place
Civic’s iconic merry-go-round is offering unlimited free rides. Whether you’ve got little ones who want to ride a dozen times or you fancy a nostalgic spin yourself, this is the kind of simple joy that makes Christmas special.
Until Wednesday 24 December | Garema Place, City | inthecity.com.au/christmasinthecity
Christmas at Canberra Outlet
Canberra Outlet is spreading festive cheer throughout December with daily Santa meet-and-greets from Monday 1 to Wednesday 24 December, running from 11 am to 2 pm outside Decjuba and Kathmandu. No bookings needed – just stop by for free festive photos on your own device, with a dedicated Christmas Helper on hand to capture the perfect moment.
From Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 December, the magic continues with a sleigh photo moment, where the first 100 guests each day will receive a free Gingerbread Plush keychain – an adorably cute keepsake to remember your Christmas visit.
Pet parents can also get in on the festive fun with Pet Santa Sessions on Wednesday 10, Friday 12, and Wednesday 17 December – these free sessions welcome pets of all shapes and sizes to meet Santa and snap a festive photo, with all donations supporting the RSPCA.
Adding to the seasonal atmosphere, live performances will fill The HUB with Christmas spirit. The Brindabella Chorus delivers stunning harmonies on Sunday 14 and 21 December at 11 am, whilst the Youth Girls Choir brings bright and beautiful Christmas melodies on Saturday 20 December at 11 am.
Until Wednesday 24 December | Canberra Outlet Centre, Iron Knob Street, Fyshwick | canberraoutlet.com.au
Food and Wine
Canberra Cellar Door–pop up wine tasting
A perfect introduction to local wines at the Canberra and Region Visitor’s Centre. Explore a thoughtfully curated selection changing with the seasons, from celebrated regional classics to hidden gems from garagiste winemakers. Each wine tells a unique story of the region. Taste wines from multiple local wineries in one convenient location, discover the stories behind regional varieties and vintages, and purchase the wines you love. No booking required, just turn up on the day. Three Fridays throughout December provide opportunities to sample and learn about Canberra district wines in this accessible pop-up cellar door experience.
Saturday 13 December | Canberra and Region Visitors’ Centre, 30 Barrine Drive, Parkes | canberracellardoor.com.au
Bottomless is back at Leyla
Leyla Bar is going bottomless this December.
From 3.30 pm, you can enjoy two hours of free-flowing Aperol Spritz, their signature Leyla Spritz, zesty Limoncello Spritz, Rosé and Prosecco – paired with delicious food to share. What better place to spend a Saturday than at a rooftop bar!?
Every Saturday afternoon in December | Leyla Bar, Burbury Close, Barton | leylabar.com.au
Markets
Philatelic Society of Canberra Stamp Market
A marketplace for stamp and coin enthusiasts featuring diverse stamps and philatelic materials for sale, plus coins and PNC’s. Local and interstate dealers offer their collections, providing opportunities to discover rare items and expand collections. The event welcomes collectors at all levels, from beginners to experienced philatelists. Attendees can chat with knowledgeable dealers, share their passion with fellow collectors and browse materials in a relaxed atmosphere. Free entry to all visitors. The Baptist Church Hall provides indoor space for dealer tables and comfortable browsing throughout the morning.
Saturday, 13 December, 9 am–2 pm | Baptist Church Hall, 11 Currie Crescent, Kingston | canberrastamps.org
Capital Region Farmers Market Away Game
Capital Region Farmers Market will be at GIO Stadium this week due to Split Milk being held at EPIC.
Go along to sample the region’s freshest produce from over 100 stallholders who bring freshly picked, grown and hand-crafted goods to Canberra and speak directly with growers and learn cooking tips while supporting the Rotary Club of Hall’s community projects.
Saturday 13 December, 7 am-11:30 am | GIO Stadium, Bruce | capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au
Homestead Markets
Tuggeranong Homestead brings together local growers, makers, artists and food vendors in a family-friendly rural atmosphere. Visitors can browse handmade goods, fresh produce and artisan creations from southside makers and producers. The monthly markets provide opportunities to support local talent and connect with community beneath the homestead’s beautiful surroundings. Set in picturesque grounds at Johnson Drive, markets will run from morning through early afternoon on the third Sunday of each month. The November launch marks the beginning of a regular gathering place for locals.
Saturday 13 December, 9 am-2 pm | Tuggeranong Homestead, Richardson | homesteadmarkets.com.au
South.Point Rooftop Community Market
Explore a different side of South.Point on the second Sunday of each month at the South.Point Rooftop Community Market!
Browse stalls boasting a range of beautiful handmade crafts, jewellery, knits, crochet, cards, homemade treats, candles, soaps, and so much more. South.Point’s rooftop has it all: enjoy the view while you peruse, and finish off your afternoon with some food at the many restaurants and eateries in the Centre and on Anketell Street below.
Best of all, it’s free entry!
Sunday 14 December, 10 am–2 pm | South.Point, Tuggeranong | southpointcanberra.com.au
Southside Farmers Markets
This village market is located at Canberra College, making it the perfect place to duck in to grab what you need (and maybe a few things you don’t). Order an egg and bacon roll to start the morning as you explore the best of fresh seasonal veggies, handmade pasta, pet treats and more.
Sunday 7 am -11.30 am | 2 Launceston Street, Phillip | facebook.com/SouthsideFarmersMarketCanberra
Haig Park Village Markets
Another local favourite, spend your Sunday morning browsing delicious cuisines, fresh produce, artisan products and locally handmade crafts while enjoying live music, an artists’ table and family-friendly activities.
It’s the kind of market where you can linger over breakfast, discover a new artist, and stock up on fresh produce all in one lovely morning, making it the perfect Sunday outing in leafy Braddon.
Sundays, 8 am – 2 pm | Haig Park, Girrahween Street, Braddon | haigparkvillagemarkets.com.au
Old Bus Depot Markets
Lovers of fine hand-crafted wares, clothing collectors, food fanatics and jewellery junkies are just a few of the people who head to Canberra’s award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets every Sunday. In a fabulous old industrial building, you’ll experience the endless colour, tastes, sounds and atmosphere that is “Canberra’s Sunday Best”.
Not your average market, each week you’ll find over 200 stalls of exceptional quality, featuring items all hand-crafted by local and regional creatives. The sheer variety means you’ll discover something unexpected every visit, whether that’s a piece of pottery that speaks to you, a stunning necklace, or the perfect vintage find. There’s simply no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Sundays, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm | 21 Wentworth Avenue, Kingston | obdm.com.au
Stage and Screen
Hand to God
In tiny, conservative Cypress, Texas, shy Jason joins his mother Margery’s Christian Puppet Ministry after his father’s sudden death. When he discovers a burgeoning talent for puppetry, his creation Tyrone has other plans. The foul-mouthed, independent and devilishly funny puppet grows in strength, throwing Jason’s relationships with the school bully, the girl-next-door and his mother into upheaval. This blasphemous black comedy with puppets explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality and the ties that bind. After a critically acclaimed season three years ago, ACT Hub brings back this outrageous comedy to end 2025 with a demonic bang.
Wednesday, 10 until Friday, 20 December | ACT Hub at Causeway Hall | acthub.com.au/production/hand-to-god
Emerging Choreographers Project 2025
QL2 Dance concludes its 2025 program with six young dance artists presenting new short works. Akira Byrne, Chloe Curtis, Jahna Lugnan, Lucia Morabito, Gigi Rohrlach and Maya Wille-Bellchambers are joined by 11 talented QL2 performers as collaborators. A rainbow opera explodes into a living sculpture garden, tensions reveal the mystery of metamorphosis, and a mirage of nostalgia dissolves into a slippery carcass cracking from a fragile shell.
Mentored by professional artists Alice Lee Holland and Emma Batchelor, the annual project offers young artists invaluable experience developing unique artistry as emerging dance makers.
The 60-minute performance showcases innovative works by curious, creative Canberra artists, followed by a facilitated Q&A session with choreographers and cast at the QL2 Dance theatre.
Saturday, 13 December, 6 pm & Sunday, 14 December, 3 pm & 6 pm | Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon | events.humanitix.com
Tennessee Williams Spotlight at the NFSA
A film program celebrating Tennessee Williams, one of America’s most acclaimed playwrights. Born in 1911 in Mississippi, Williams drew from personal experience–his overbearing father inspired Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, while his sister’s story emerges in Suddenly, Last Summer. His plays were adapted into films featuring Hollywood legends including Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Richard Burton, Vivien Leigh, Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner and Montgomery Clift. Williams’ work evokes the tension of an American South in decline, presenting gay and female sexuality on stage for the first time.
Saturday, 13 December, 1 pm–3 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Horrorshow x CLIPPED: Inside Story Uncut at the NFSA
Hip hop outfit Horrorshow marks the 15th anniversary of their 2009 album Inside Story with this groundbreaking cinema concert event produced by audiovisual collective CLIPPED. Captured in 4K/HD, the film showcases the electrifying opening night performance from the sold-out IS15 Tour. Directed by Samuel Bright, the multi-camera concert film features Horrorshow backed by virtuoso jazz musicians performing reimagined versions of fan-favourites. This immersive cinematic experience brings audiences closer to the energy, emotion and artistry of the landmark performance. The screening includes an interactive Q&A session with frontman Nick Solo and director Samuel Bright.
Sunday, 14 December, 1 pm–3 pm | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | tickets.nfsa.gov.au
Music
A Handel Celebration
Canberra Choral Society presents their Come & Sing event celebrating George Frideric Handel’s musical genius. The concert features arias and choruses from operas, oratorios, odes and anthems spanning his career, from Agrippina’s sinfonia through choruses from Athalia, Saul, Israel in Egypt, Hercules, Judas Maccabeus and Theodora to selections from Messiah. Works include the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline, Zadok the Priest and Alexander’s Feast. Guest conductor Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, leads a 160-strong chorus with French soprano Myriam Arbouz and professional orchestra, prepared by Music Director Dan Walker.
Saturday, 13 December, 7.30 pm–10 pm | Llewellyn Hall, William Herbert Place, Building 100, Canberra | canberrachoralsociety.org
Grinspoon–30th Birthday Bonanza
Grinspoon celebrates their 30th anniversary with a special performance at UC Refectory. Presented by Empire Touring and Triple M, the birthday celebration brings the iconic Australian rock band to the University of Canberra venue. The evening offers fans an opportunity to celebrate three decades of Grinspoon’s music and career. The UC Refectory provides a mid-sized venue setting for this anniversary show. Attendees can expect performances spanning the band’s extensive catalogue from their 30-year history. The birthday bonanza format suggests a celebratory atmosphere beyond a standard concert performance, marking this significant milestone.
Saturday, 13 December, 7 pm–11 pm | University of Canberra, 1 Kirinari Street, UC Refectory, Bruce | ucx.canberra.edu.au
Sketches from the Fringe: Rachael Thoms and Tom Fell in Concert
An evening of original jazz featuring co-founders of creative jazz collective The Fringe of Squaredom in a double-bill performance. Rachael Thoms, a jazz-trained hybrid vocalist known for expressive storytelling and vocal artistry, and Tom Fell, a saxophonist and sonic explorer known for dynamic tone and inventive improvisation, present individual sets journeying through original contemporary Australian jazz. They’re joined by an ensemble of local jazz musicians. The performance features intricate arrangements, unexpected turns and musical rapport developed through years of shared collaboration. Expressive melodies meet bold improvisations in this authentic exploration of the jazz form.
Saturday, 13 December, 7 pm–9.30 pm | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway | tuggeranongarts.com
BluesBash 4 at the Zeppelin Room
BluesBash returns to the Harmonie German Club for the first time, proudly supported by Canberra Blues Society. Organiser Frank Sultana has assembled the cream of the Australian blues/roots scene for this fourth instalment, including BluesBash’s first international artist. The extended event runs from afternoon through evening, offering multiple hours of blues performances. The Zeppelin Room at Harmonie German Club provides a dedicated music venue space. The lineup showcases established and emerging talent from the Australian blues circuit. Attendees can expect a full day of diverse blues and roots music styles from various performers.
Saturday, 13 December, 3 pm–11.30 pm | Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah | canberrabluessociety.com.au
Eric Gales
Blues powerhouse Eric Gales returns to Australia with Canberra Blues Society absolutely stoked to host this tour date. Special guest support from Karen Lee Andrews. Five years sober and creatively reborn, Gales delivers fiery guitar mastery and soul-stirring emotion, riding high on momentum from his masterful album Crown, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The tour promises the utmost combination of technical brilliance and emotional depth from one of blues music’s most compelling performers. Canberra Blues Society members receive discounted entry. This performance brings world-class blues guitar to Canberra audiences seeking authentic, powerful musical experiences.
Sunday, 14 December | Harmonie German Club, Narrabundah | canberrabluessociety.com.au
Sport and Wellness
Twilight Flow & Live Music
Held at sunset, overlooking the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve, Twilight Flow & Live Music is a 90-minute immersive experience that fuses guided yoga-inspired movement with live music, crystal bowl soundscapes, and atmospheric lighting installations. As the sun dips below the horizon, the session transitions into a deeply meditative sound bath and a live musical performance — all designed to leave attendees feeling grounded, inspired, and connected.
With our back drop featuring the Australian bush at golden hour through Wildbark’s main hall, this is a one of a kind sensory immersion that blends movement, music, community, and nature into a transformative experience. You’ll begin with a Yin Yang flow combining grounding Yin shapes with invigorating Yang sequences. Expect a steady build of warmth, strength, and challenge before transitioning into softness, deep stretch, and release. As the movements slow, the body softens, and the sounds deepen.
Live musicians accompany the entire experience, building energy through the flow, to then guide participants into a fully immersive experience with meditative sound bath featuring crystal singing bowls and atmospheric lighting immersion, through projections across ths space, as the sun sets over the reserve. The session closes with a live performance from our incredible local musicians, creating a powerful and emotive finish.
Following the end of the session, guests are invited to stay for herbal tea, fresh fruit, conversation, and community connection under the night sky.
Sunday 14 December, 6:15 pm–8:30 pm | Wildbark, Throsby | movement-music-medicine.com
Workshops, Talks and Programs
Curators in Conversation: Hallyu! The Korean Wave
A behind-the-scenes conversation about the Hallyu! exhibition featuring V&A senior curator of Korean Art and lead curator Dr Rosalie Kim with National Museum senior curator Kate Morschel. The illuminating discussion explores Korea’s remarkable cultural journey to global influencer status. Through stories and exhibition highlights, the curators reveal how creativity, collaboration and cultural ambition shaped Korea’s contemporary identity. The conversation provides context for the exhibition’s 250 objects from the V&A in London. Attendees gain deeper understanding of the curatorial approach and themes explored in the exhibition documenting Korean cultural influence worldwide.
Saturday, 13 December, 2 pm–3.30 pm | National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Acton | nma.gov.au
Under the southern cross holiday craft
A family-friendly craft event exploring the In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists exhibition. Participants create unique 2D and 3D star ornaments using paper, felt, cardboard and wool. These handmade decorations add sparkle to homes during summer and help welcome 2026. The workshop suits all ages, with all children requiring adult accompaniment. National Archives is committed to the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework, ensuring a safe environment. The hands-on activity combines exhibition viewing with creative making, allowing families to explore the archives while producing take-home crafts inspired by the exhibition themes and seasonal celebrations.
Saturday, 13 December, 10 am–11.30 am | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Artists in Conversation: Dialogue with Dissonance
An artists’ talk with Amelia Mollett, Andy Sumner, Sallie Saunders, Jeanette Muirhead, Justin Wasserman and Lesley Andersen discussing their practice and artworks in the Dialogue with Dissonance exhibition. The conversation provides insight into the artists’ creative processes, concepts and techniques featured in the exhibition. Attendees can engage directly with the exhibiting artists, gaining deeper understanding of the works on display at Pivot Gallery. This free talk requires registration. The discussion format allows for questions and dialogue between artists and audience, creating an interactive educational experience complementing exhibition viewing.
Saturday, 13 December, 2 pm–3 pm | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Exhibitions
Annual Members Exhibition: Craft + Design Canberra Daily Creative Challenge Winners Exhibit
The Craft + Design Canberra Annual Members Exhibition highlights contemporary craft and design, blending time-honoured techniques with innovative approaches. Featuring work by talented makers from the ACT and surrounding region, the showcase demonstrates current trends in Australian craft and design. As the final exhibition of the year, it serves as a celebration of creativity and community, providing a festive conclusion to the calendar. Visitors enjoy an inspiring display of artistry while finding unique, handcrafted pieces perfect for early Christmas shopping. The exhibition celebrates local talent and the beauty of contemporary craft and design.
Until Saturday 13 December | Craft + Design Canberra, 180 London Circuit, Canberra | craftanddesigncanberra.org
The Poetry of Things
Suki & Hugh Gallery presents the first formal collaboration between world-renowned Australian glass artists Kirstie Rea and Annette Blair. The exhibition reflects on quiet beauty found in everyday objects, drawing inspiration from the domestic and utilitarian. Peaches, tin cans, cloths and brushes are translated into lustrous glass still lifes that are at once familiar and transformed.
The works carry subtle tension between fragility and permanence, delicacy and weight, embodying both endurance and ephemerality of use. Rea explores interplay between light, memory and landscape through kiln-formed glass, whilst Blair celebrates material’s expressive potential through colour, form and hand-making intimacy.
Their practices interweave to create an installation of quiet resonance, inviting considered observation and celebrating the enduring connection between people and objects of daily life.
Until Saturday, 13 December | Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore | sukihugh.com.au
unBECOMING by Fernanda Pedroso
unBECOMING explores the quiet cost of being constantly connected — in this era of technological acceleration, we stand at the intersection of transformation and vulnerability. In our pursuit of becoming, we often overlook the importance of unbecoming — the pause, the shedding, the rediscovery of what makes us human.
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11 am–5 pm.
Until Sunday 14 December | Grainger on Geelong, 1/34 Geelong Street, Fyshwick | graingergallery.com.au
Q1 Close by Litia Roko
The close of a quarter is an opportunity to review, reflect and re-align.
Twenty-five years into a century that opened with the utopian promise of the internet as a decentralised, democratic force, technology companies have harvested art, culture and creativity as data to fuel an accelerating AI arms race. Q1 Close, the final exhibition of Platform’s 2025 program, examines the status of art in algorithmic culture and considers its shifting place within contemporary economies of value.
Until Sunday 14 December | Platform, 19 Furneaux Street, Manuka | canberracontemporary.com.au
Illuminate ’25
Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Photographic Group presents its 12th annual exhibition exploring both physical light and intellectual or spiritual enlightenment. The exhibition shares members’ passion for discovering, appreciating and valuing Australia’s unique flora and fauna as seen through camera lenses.
Featured works include plant portraits, close-ups of flowers, birds and insects, and intimate landscapes taken within the gardens and across the local region.
Until Sunday, 14 December | Australian National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Gallery, Acton | visit.anbg.gov.au
Deck the Smalls
The Gallery of Small Things continues its popular annual Christmas exhibition themed Deck the Smalls. A range of affordable new artworks and wearable art created by wonderful artists features throughout. Artworks range from woven framed art, new ceramic brooches, bags, bird and animal prints, floral cards, original drawings/mixed media, paintings, carved wall works and engravings. All perfect to gift to loved ones or yourself. Shop in person and/or online anytime. This seasonal exhibition showcases small-scale works ideal for Christmas gifting whilst supporting local artists. The gallery’s focus on accessible, affordable art makes it perfect for finding unique presents celebrating local creative talent.
Until Saturday, 21 December | Gallery of Small Things (GOST), 27 Wade Street, Watson | galleryofsmallthings.com
Skin Deep by Gabriella Bisetto
Canberra Glassworks concludes its 2025 exhibition program with a major solo exhibition by Adelaide-based glass artist Gabriella Bisetto, winner of the 2024 Tom Malone Glass Prize. Curated by Margaret Hancock, Skin Deep invites viewers to consider how beauty resides in imperfection.
Bisetto’s sculptural forms carry quiet evidence of their making–heated, cooled, slumped, scarred and pressed into being. Like human skin, every blemish and fine cut becomes an intimate record of contact, making visible the coexistence of fragility and endurance.
Bisetto interprets mechanisms and ideologies of the human body through blown glass, hot sculpting and collaborative making. Her influence is visible in the next generation of celebrated glass artists including Yhonnie Scarce, Jessica Murtagh and Liam Fleming.
Until Saturday, 25 January 2026 | Canberra Glassworks, Kingston | canberraglassworks.com
Masked Memory by Rosalind Lemoh
Canberra Contemporary presents new works by NSW-based Sierra Leonean-born artist Rosalind Lemoh focusing on personal cultural objects from her family home. The exhibition reflects on her connection to Mende and Themne cultures from West Africa, bringing the African diaspora in Australia into focus. Lemoh threads together ideas of arrival, cultural masking, shifting senses of place and the blending of myth, fact and fiction through family storytelling.
Spanning sculpture and photography, the works continue her practice of using memorial and remembering to understand present and future identities. This thought-provoking exhibition explores fragility, power and gender through sculptural assemblage influenced by Arte Povera and Confessional Art.
Until 24 January 2026 | Canberra Contemporary | canberracontemporary.com.au
Australia’s Home Front: 1939-1945
Explore everyday Australians’ vital role during WWII on the home front, from “make do and mend” to war bonds and women’s auxiliary work. Features unique objects and stories from Canberra and beyond, including the city’s surprising Manhattan Project connection. Presents resilience, innovation, and quiet heroism of those who supported the war effort, marking 80 years since the conflict’s end.
Until 1 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
subcultures
subcultures is an open exhibition curated by Red Saunders bringing to light the rich tapestry of alternative identities, communities and expressions flourishing outside mainstream society. From punk and goth to skateboarding and street art, creators from across Australia celebrate the creativity, resistance and innovation of those carving out spaces of belonging in subversive ways. Through painting, photography, illustration and collage, subcultures reflects on how fashion, music, political ideals and shared lifestyles converge to create powerful subcultural identities. This diverse exhibition captures unique aesthetic markers and stories of solidarity, marginalisation and rebellion, paying tribute to underground movements challenging the status quo and enriching cultural landscapes.
Until Saturday, 1 February 2026 | West Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Dialogue with Dissonance
An exhibition exploring the human disposition to live with contradiction. Local artists working in a range of media and approaches interpret the disparity between what is seen and what is expected. The series considers how people express themselves collectively and individually by creating tension through different forms, relationships and meaning. Viewers only see completed artworks, observing them with their own internal attitudes, behaviours and unconscious bias. What goes on behind the scenes–concept, composition, colour choices, deciding when a work is finished–manifests in the audience’s decision to stop and make sense. Through dissonance, audiences develop thought-provoking experiences tapping into human desire to make order from disorder.
Until Saturday, 1 February 2026 | Pivot Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
Disclosed Impressions
New works by the Migrant Women’s Art Group highlighting diverse artistic contributions in Gungahlin. These culturally relevant works explore colour, composition and personal stories using wide variety of mediums and techniques. The Migrant Women’s Art Group, presented by Gungahlin Arts, supports women who have migrated to Australia and live in the Canberra region to develop and share their unique creative voice. Throughout 2025, the group has worked with textiles, wearable art, sculpture, drawing and painting. This exhibition presents a snapshot of session outcomes and a record of social connections and relationships developed through the program celebrating cultural diversity through art.
Until Saturday, 1 February 2026 | Window Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
The Art of Celebration: Reflecting 50 years plus of Canberra Art Workshop
Canberra Art Workshop celebrates over 50 years of art making. This exhibition enables diverse and talented CAW members to celebrate their enthusiasm for art by sharing it with others through public exhibition. BelcoArts’ annual single-subject exhibition is advertised well in advance, with members responding in a variety of media and techniques. Working with BelcoArts allows CAW members to dialogue with a wide ACT and regional New South Wales audience. Be surprised and delighted at the rich array of works this talented group brings. Expect experimental and traditional art using wide range of media–drawing, painting, pastel, mixed media, watercolour in two-dimensional, three-dimensional and digital formats.
Until Saturday, 1 February 2026 | Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen | belcoarts.com.au
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited
A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited explores love, identity and resilience within Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, photographer Jane Duong and producer Victoria Firth-Smith created Queerberra to document queer Canberrans during the national postal vote on marriage equality. Over 100 portraits captured moments of pride, exhaustion, defiance and hope when love itself was publicly debated. Eight years later, this exhibition returns to those portraits to reflect on personal growth, community strength and the enduring power of love. The exhibition invites visitors to consider progress made and work remaining in the city that voted yes more strongly than any other in Australia.
Until Saturday, 5 April 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra | cmag.com.au
5th National Indigenous Art Triennial
The National Indigenous Art Triennial brings together commissioned work by established and emerging First Nations artists from across Australia. Artistic Director Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples), one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, leads this iteration. After the Rain presents new immersive projects resonating with ideas of rebirth and cycles of cleansing, celebrating inter-generational legacies and cultural warriors of past, present and future. Made possible through the continued generosity of Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters, the Triennial creates an important platform for art and ideas. Following its Kamberri/Canberra presentation, After the Rain will tour nationally.
Until Saturday, 26 April 2026 | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Questacon Presents: ZAP! CLANK! POW!
Featuring a new take on some old favourites from the past three decades, this exhibition might have been designed with little scientists in mind, but trust us when we say everyone will enjoy a visit to ZAP! CLANK! POW! at Questacon.
Featuring 17 highly interactive exhibits, you’ll get hands-on as you explore the exciting world of electricity, machines, and motion. And with a comic book theme running throughout, it will keep all ages entertained.
Until Sunday 1 February 2026 | Questacon, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | questacon.edu.au
Taglietti: Life in Design
Discover the world of The Global Architect, Enrico Taglietti (1926–2019), a visionary whose design principles shaped modern Australian architecture and left an indelible imprint on Canberra, the city he and his wife Franca chose to call home. Celebrating the centenary of Taglietti’s birth, Taglietti: Life in Design explores the life, philosophy, and legacy of one of Australia’s most original architects.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, 176 London Circuit, City | cmag.com.au
Enjoy this trip: the art of music posters
Journey back to the Summer of Love and be transported to a time when the music was funky, the art was kaleidoscopic and psychedelia was in full swing. Drawn from the National Gallery’s expansive collection of Australian and international music posters spanning the 1960s to 1980s, Enjoy this trip: The art of music posters captures the spirit of the times as an era of experimentation.
Until Sunday 22 February 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Women Photographers 1853–2018
Women Photographers 1853–2018 highlights the transformative impact of women artists on the history of photography.
Since its inception, the National Gallery’s photography collection has reflected the vital place of women in the medium’s history. Some of its earliest acquisitions were major works by women.
As a result, the National Gallery is uniquely placed to consider how photography has changed the worlds in which women live, and how women have changed photography. As the great modernist photographer Lucia Moholy wrote, ‘Photography has not only changed the way we see the world but also how we see ourselves.’ For women artists, making photographs has always been an act of resistance. Photography has given women access to spaces of knowledge, artistic practices and technology from which they were previously excluded.
This exhibition features work spanning more than 160 years of women working with photography.
Until Sunday 1 March | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage
Celebrate 50 years of Nolan’s cultural legacy with the Canberra Museum and Gallery’s year-long program of exhibitions, concerts, talks, and a symposium. A Total Work of Art: Sidney Nolan and the Stage showcases Sidney Nolan’s dynamic stage designs for opera, ballet, and theatre. You’ll discover costumes, set designs, and the iconic “Lyrebird” costume from The Display, 1964.
Until Sunday 8 March 2026 | Canberra Museum + Gallery, City | More information here.
1975: Living in the Seventies
Step back 50 years and immerse yourself in the unforgettable year that was 1975! The National Library of Australia’s fascinating new exhibition explores what it was truly like to live in the seventies, from the dramatic political upheaval of Gough Whitlam’s dismissal to the cultural phenomena that defined the decade.
Discover iconic fashion like flared jeans and platform shoes, relive the magic of Countdown’s glam rockers Skyhooks and ABBA’s infectious pop, and explore groundbreaking Australian films like Picnic at Hanging Rock. This colourful celebration brings together objects exploring politics, conflicts, popular culture, food, fashion, and sport in iconic seventies design, revealing a complex story beyond Baby Boomer nostalgia.
Until Monday 9 March 2026 | National Library of Australia, Parkes Place, Canberra | library.gov.au
50 Years on the Beat: The Legacy of Constable Kenny Koala
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Constable Kenny Koala, the AFP Museum presents a major temporary exhibition honouring the iconic community policing mascot held at the National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point.
Known for educating children about safety since 1975, Kenny Koala is beloved by generations of Canberrans. This exhibition captures his origins, evolution, and ongoing impact on public trust and community engagement. Visitors will experience five decades of memorabilia, puppets, costumes, media, and interactive learning tools that showcase the enduring values of kindness, education, and public service.
Until Wednesday 18 March 2026 | National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point | nca.gov.au
In Bloom
In Bloom explores the beauty and symbolism of flowers. Featuring more than 50 portraits from the National Portrait Gallery collection, new acquisitions and selected loans, you will discover how flowers have long been used in art to express emotion and convey messages of personal, cultural and religious significance.
The show is a weird and wonderful floral extravaganza that includes much-loved and lesser-known works from the collection. See socialites, chefs, musicians, actors, doctors and politicians who are all unified by their accompanying floral markers.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes | portrait.gov.au
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 years of Independence
Bilong Papua New Guinea marks the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence and the birth of a new nation on September 16, 1975. The National Gallery holds the largest collection of Papua New Guinea urban art outside the country. Each of the works selected for Bilong Papua New Guinea presents a story, reflecting on cultural heritage, historical moments, the influence of ancestors, Christianity, kastom, societal changes and new technologies.
Until Sunday 19 April 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists
Celebrate Australian innovation at National Archives’ latest exhibition in Canberra, In real life: inventors, innovators and opportunists. Explore the history of Australian invention, from First Nations creativity to 150 years of patents, designs and trademark registrations.
See life-changing inventions, iconic designs and household brand names with original design drawings and trademarks from the national archival collection alongside their real-life counterparts.
Australians from all walks of life have pursued their ideas in the laboratory, at the drafting table and in the humble backyard shed. Learn about the innovators behind advances such as the baby capsule, spray-on skin and the stump-cam. Discover the origins of everyday products and national icons such as the Victa lawnmower, Hills Hoist and ‘goon bag’.
From pedestrian crossing buttons to dual flush toilets, see how the Australian Government played a vital role in supporting inventions and designs that you regularly see, hear, use – and flush. Spark your own imagination and be inspired by stories of bold dreams, determination and Australian ingenuity.
Until 17 May 2026 | National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes | naa.gov.au
Trent Parke: The Christmas tree bucket
Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas. The series showcases Parke’s distinctive and acclaimed visual style and his skilful use of light and colour, to transcendent effect.The Christmas tree bucket is a candid, unsettling and often absurd portrait of family life—centred on the chaos, rituals and contradictions of the suburban Australian Christmas. It is a fond, insider’s view—sharp but affectionate—and one that the participants, after initial bemusement, actively embraced.
Parke draws from the legacy of postwar American photography while retaining a distinctly personal visual language, using light and colour to transform the everyday. The resulting photographs are both intimate and theatrical, sometimes hilarious, sometimes poetic and haunting. The exhibition also features a small selection of work from Parke’s black-and-white series Minutes to midnight 2003‒04 and a number of his handmade concertina photobooks, which he sees as a central part of his practice.
Until Sunday 6 September 2026 | National Gallery, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
Gurindji Freedom Banners
A powerful new exhibition commemorating the pivotal 1966 Wave Hill Walk-off opens at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Gurindji Freedom Banners: Mumkurla-nginyi-ma parrngalinyparla–From the darkness into the light unites all ten hand-painted banners for the first time in years, telling the story of when Gurindji and neighbouring peoples, led by Vincent Lingiari AM, walked off Wave Hill Station on 23 August 1966.
Their demands for fair working conditions and return of traditional lands sparked landmark change, leading to the first handback of Aboriginal land in 1975 and paving the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The textile banners were created in 2000 by 35 Gurindji people, many walk-off participants, with one recently recreated after going missing.
Now showing until late 2026 | Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House | moadoph.gov.au
Reflection: 50 Years of the Australian Honours System
Discover the remarkable story of Australia’s honours system through a fascinating exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint. “Reflection” celebrates five decades of recognizing extraordinary Australians, featuring original medal sketches by Stuart Devlin, finished medals, and commemorative coins from the National Coin Collection.
Explore the journey from design concept to final recognition, including the 2003 Volunteers Fine Silver Proof Set, Afghanistan Medal displays, and stunning wattle-themed collectibles. This free exhibition honors over 500,000 Australians who have contributed to our nation’s spirit.
Now open | Royal Australian Mint, Deakin | Free entry | ramint.gov.au
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay showcases two of Australia’s leading fashion designers: Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, in conversation with international, multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay (1885–1979).
The iconic and vibrant early designs of Kee and Jackson from the 1970s and early 1980s were directly inspired by the dynamic legacy of Delaunay, who was a member of the School of Paris and co-founder of Orphism, an art movement noted for its use of intense colours and abstract, geometric forms. As well as working in traditional mediums such as painting and printmaking, Delaunay’s practice also included textile, fashion, and theatre design.
For Jackson and Kee, who were beginning their shared journey in creating clothes as works of art, the discovery of Delaunay was revolutionary. This powerful display feature a rarely-seen collection of Kee and Jackson’s garments from their archives and are shown with the National Gallery’s collection of Delaunay’s prints, drawings, textiles and costumes.
Showing now | National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes | nga.gov.au
